Knowledge Base

OptiPlex 7020: Windows 7 Driver Install Order

Microsoft® Windows 7

A device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device. For the OptiPlex 7020, all the driver installations for their devices are similar except that some systems may have more devices than others.

After a clean installation of the Microsoft® Windows 7 operating system, you must install the following drivers / software packages:

Note: Use this page as a reference for what the drivers should look like in Device Manager when installed. Drivers can be downloaded from dell.com/support/. The list below is based on a basic system without any additional optional cards.

After a fresh copy of windows is installed, always install the Intel chipset driver utility first. After that, you can install the rest of the devices' drivers in any sequence. However we would recommend you follow the convention below.

Check if the chipset driver is installed by looking at Device Manager - shown below. Install the Intel chipset update from the Support Site or by inserting the Dell Resource DVD.

Generally, Windows has comprehensive support for many items, but the following Dell™-branded drivers and software must be installed for proper operation if the operating system has been removed and reinstalled:

The video drivers are sorted into two parts. They are Intel OBD graphic drivers and Add_in card drivers depending on different system specifications.

Intel OBD graphic driver

Check if the video driver is installed by looking at Device Manager. Install the Intel GMA HD4000 driver update from the Support Site or by the Dell Resource DVD.

Windows 7 > Video Drivers > Intel GMA HD 4000.

Add-in card drivers

The add-in video card drivers are for the following optional video controllers:

1 GB AMD Radeon HD8490 (Optional for Minitower and Small Form Factor Chassis)

1 GB AMD Radeon HD8570 (Optional for Minitower and Small Form Factor Chassis)

These video drivers should already be embedded into Windows 7 as native drivers, the operating system will auto detect the video controller and install the driver. However if it doesn't you can install from the Resource DVD or from the Support site.

Before network drivers are installed, the Microsoft® Windows operating system does not recognize the integrated LOM and sets the device up as an Ethernet Controller under Other devices. Once you install the network drivers, it is recognized properly under Network adapters.